Congress convenes special session

MANILA, Philippines – Both chambers of Congress convened its special session on Wednesday morning, as ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

On Monday, Marcos called on the Congress to hold a special session to consider several urgent bills including the Anti-Political Dynasty Law, Amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations Act.

Other bills for consideration include:

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National Center for Geriatric Health

Amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act

Last Mile and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged and Conflict-Affected Areas Schools Act

Amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act

Presidential Merit Scholarship Program

Such other measures aimed towards strengthening social protection and uplifting the lives of the Filipino people

It must be noted that the House of Representatives has already acted upon the priority measures, and it is now up to the Senate to match the lower chamber’s legislative work.

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The upper chamber’s progress was put on hold after Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano was elected as Senate president — a seat he held for only three weeks.

Under Cayetano’s leadership, Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa resurfaced only to go on the run three days later when local authorities vowed to serve an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

A gunfire incident also ensued at the Senate on the third evening of Cayetano’s leadership.

More work was put on hold when, in a debate left unfulfilled on remote voting, the former minority bloc walked out of the session.

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Then, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was arrested on June 1 at the Senate premises for a plunder and graft case.

His arrest was followed by a ‘boycott’ from the Cayetano bloc, which disabled the Senate from continuing its sessions due to the lack of a quorum.

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In the midst of the chaos, held up on the Senate agenda are pending naturalization bills on third reading for basketball player Bennie Francois Boatwright III and wrestler Matthew James Ramos.

There are also pending appointments in the Cabinet, military, and foreign service.

Five senior military officers have been awaiting the confirmation of their promotion to generals since June 1.

These bills are among the focus of the Senate’s special session. /gsg

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